PHILADELPHIA, PA — One of Philadelphia’s fastest-growing neighborhoods is set to freeze over — in the best possible way. The Fishtown District announced the return of Fishtown Freeze, a massive one-day winter festival that will turn the neighborhood into a glittering holiday showcase packed with ice sculptures, live carving demonstrations, festive markets, trolley rides, and more.
Now in its seventh year, the event will take place Saturday, December 6, 2025, bringing dozens of custom-designed ice carvings, five live ice demonstrations, and a full lineup of seasonal activities stretching from Frankford Avenue to the waterfront. Admission is free throughout the district.
Among the day’s main draws are two dozen ice sculptures created by internationally acclaimed Ice Sculpture Philly, with live carving performances scheduled at The Battery, Rivers Casino, Mural City Garden, Garage, and LMNO. Visitors can explore the sculptures at more than 20 neighborhood businesses, each offering its own festive twist.
A complimentary holiday trolley will run along Frankford Avenue from noon to 6:30 p.m., helping visitors navigate the district’s dense concentration of attractions. Santa will be stationed at Frankford Hall for complimentary photos from noon to 4 p.m., while Mural City Cellars’ Winter Wonderland will feature mulled wine, a vendor market, and a live carving at 1:30 p.m.
Evil Genius Beer Company will debut its Ginger Jawn Christmas Pop-Up Bar with floor-to-ceiling decorations and the release of its “Santa I Know Him” beer. The brewery’s annual Santa 0.5K charity run — a tongue-in-cheek half-kilometer dash — will return at 2:30 p.m., with proceeds supporting holiday gifts for local families.
Mamajuana Cafe Philly will unveil Fishtown’s new official Christmas tree, standing 25 feet tall with more than 10,000 lights, while The Battery’s Indoor + Outdoor Holiday Open House will include s’mores, snacks, and a live ice carving at 2:15 p.m. Brooklyn Bowl will offer holiday bowling and ice art starting at 2 p.m., and Fabrika will host a Christmas-themed outdoor patio with live music into the evening.
The festival coincides with the Fishtown Holiday Shopping Spree, running December 6 and 7 at more than 25 independent boutiques and retailers. Shoppers can expect discounts, complimentary beverages, holiday snacks, and special events at participating businesses, including Cloud 9 Clay, Harriett’s Bookshop, Fishtown Jewelers, Front Street Cafe, PROPERgoods, Riverwards Produce, Cake Life Bake Shop, and many more.
Outdoor ice-related activities will move to Sunday, December 7 in the event of inclement weather. Both the Freeze and the Shopping Spree remain free and open to the public, with food, drinks, and gifts available for purchase.
Fishtown Freeze is sponsored by the Fishtown District and Ice Sculpture Philly. Visitors can access the neighborhood via the Market-Frankford Line or local trolley routes. Further details are available on social media at @fishtown_district and @fishtownfeastivale or at fishtowndistrict.com.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.